The wait is over, Beerfest Asia is back.
This festival of the world's favourite drink has become a fixture since its debut in 2009, so you should know what to expect: good beer, good music, good food and good times.
But what's going to entertain us without nightly World Cup screenings and more importantly, what's different about the beer?
Here's what's new in the third edition:
The Beer
Beerfest Asia 2011 runs for four days from Jun 16-19.
Festival director Edward Chia tells us that there will be over 250 beers on show, with around a fifth of them making their debut in Singapore.
"We have new exhibitors on board and among them. They are bringing down some 50 new beers that are not in the market currently," says Chia. "This means that festival-goers can only taste these beers at Beerfest Asia and nowhere else."
This year's edition looks primed to continue the trend set in motion by preceding festivals.
"Beer-drinking is no longer limited to the average Joe," says Chia. "We see more beer connoisseurs and craft beer-drinkers - and it's real, organic growth as people actively seek out craft beers to taste and sample. People have even taken up home brewing as a hobby."
Beer drinkers these days aren't all Joes in fact. An increasing number of them are Janes. Chia tells us that more and more ladies are letting their love of the beverage be known. "It is not just us realising this trend. In fact, our exhibitors have also noticed. "
The festival director's beers of choice?
"There're so many to choose from! If we have to choose, Budweiser Budvar and Zubr from the Czech Republic (It's the first time that Beerfest Asia will feature Czech beers), American craft beers brought in by BeerStyle, BrewDog beers from Scotland, and English beers from Singapore Beer Alliance, are all good bets."
The Entertainment
Melancholic indie stuff can be great, but this isn't the time or place for it. Beerfest is all about tribute acts.
Favourites from last year's festival, Queen dead-ringers Killer Queen and U2 clones Achtung Baby are returning with incarnations of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Blues Brothers featuring the All Star Showstoppers.
There's also an element of comedy to this year's Beerfest, gearing to make you laugh more than you already do when you're inebriated. Patrons can buy tickets to the Comedy Club for $20 and enjoy stand-up performances from the likes of Jonathan Atherton, Paul Ogata, David Smiedt, Tom Rhodes and Henning Wehn.
And have you ever watched an American college movie and longed to try your hand at beer pong? This is your chance. In addition to the legendary game of drink, you'll find pool and foosball tables at various marquees on the festival grounds.
This festival of the world's favourite drink has become a fixture since its debut in 2009, so you should know what to expect: good beer, good music, good food and good times.
But what's going to entertain us without nightly World Cup screenings and more importantly, what's different about the beer?
Here's what's new in the third edition:
The Beer
Beerfest Asia 2011 runs for four days from Jun 16-19.
Festival director Edward Chia tells us that there will be over 250 beers on show, with around a fifth of them making their debut in Singapore.
"We have new exhibitors on board and among them. They are bringing down some 50 new beers that are not in the market currently," says Chia. "This means that festival-goers can only taste these beers at Beerfest Asia and nowhere else."
This year's edition looks primed to continue the trend set in motion by preceding festivals.
"Beer-drinking is no longer limited to the average Joe," says Chia. "We see more beer connoisseurs and craft beer-drinkers - and it's real, organic growth as people actively seek out craft beers to taste and sample. People have even taken up home brewing as a hobby."
Beer drinkers these days aren't all Joes in fact. An increasing number of them are Janes. Chia tells us that more and more ladies are letting their love of the beverage be known. "It is not just us realising this trend. In fact, our exhibitors have also noticed. "
The festival director's beers of choice?
"There're so many to choose from! If we have to choose, Budweiser Budvar and Zubr from the Czech Republic (It's the first time that Beerfest Asia will feature Czech beers), American craft beers brought in by BeerStyle, BrewDog beers from Scotland, and English beers from Singapore Beer Alliance, are all good bets."
The Entertainment
Melancholic indie stuff can be great, but this isn't the time or place for it. Beerfest is all about tribute acts.
Favourites from last year's festival, Queen dead-ringers Killer Queen and U2 clones Achtung Baby are returning with incarnations of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Blues Brothers featuring the All Star Showstoppers.
There's also an element of comedy to this year's Beerfest, gearing to make you laugh more than you already do when you're inebriated. Patrons can buy tickets to the Comedy Club for $20 and enjoy stand-up performances from the likes of Jonathan Atherton, Paul Ogata, David Smiedt, Tom Rhodes and Henning Wehn.
And have you ever watched an American college movie and longed to try your hand at beer pong? This is your chance. In addition to the legendary game of drink, you'll find pool and foosball tables at various marquees on the festival grounds.
